Moline – U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL17) and State Representative candidate Mike Halpin heard from local seniors and home healthcare aides Friday, October 14, at the Moline Public Library about the impact of Governor Rauner’s proposed $200 million cut to senior home care services provided through the Community Care Program (CCP). Seniors who rely on home healthcare to continue living independently at home said that these vital services and the home healthcare aides that provide them are a lifeline that enable tens of thousands to remain in communities statewide, avoiding premature and more costly nursing home care.

Governor Bruce Rauner has proposed a new program called the Community Reinvestment Program (CRP), which will slash nearly $200 million from in-home services for seniors. CRP would reimburse providers at less than half the current rate, and providers will be unable to provide the same services for less than half the money.

“We are looking at the most defenseless among us who are being targeted,” explained U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL17). “Governor Rauner says these cuts will save money in the short-term, but the reality is that it will increase the cost to taxpayers when seniors like the ones here with us today are pushed into nursing homes that cost three times more than home care services.”

The CRP would cut – and in some cases gravely reduce – care for as many as 43,000 Illinois seniors. Many will be unable to maintain without these vital services and could be forced into institutional care settings. Nursing home care for an individual senior can cost $30,000 or more annually, compared with the Community Care Program, which averages $10,000 annually.

“Unfortunately, we’re seeing a disregard by Governor Rauner to the long-term benefit of supporting our seniors and providing the services that enable them to age with dignity in their homes. We must continue to fully fund vital programs like the Community Care Program and I am proud to stand with our area seniors and home healthcare aides in this fight,” said Mike Halpin, candidate for State Representative of the 72nd district.

“The fact that the most vulnerable among us are continuing to be victims of Governor Rauner’s downturn agenda is something that Mike Halpin and I are here to speak out against today,” added Rep. Bustos.